Recently, the department slapped a fine of Rs 1.45 lakh on the owner of a road roller for failing to register the vehicle three years after it was purchased. The vehicle also didn't have any insurance cover.TNN | May 09, 2016, 12:28 IST

KOCHI: The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has stepped up checking of vehicles used for construction activities after it was found that many such vehicles are being used without registration.

Recently, the department slapped a fine of Rs 1.45 lakh on the owner of a road roller for failing to register the vehicle three years after it was purchased. The vehicle also didn't have any insurance cover.

"As per the law, a vehicle has to be registered within three months of purchase," said George Thomas, an MVD official.

The registration amount is calculated at 8% of the total cost of the vehicle. The amount for registration of heavy vehicles will be higher when it's calculated on that basis.

"The owner of the seized vehicle is a native of Perumbavoor. He said that he had ignored registration as the vehicle dealer told him that it was not mandatory for vehicles used for construction purposes," he said.

The MVD official said that a special drive would be conducted in the coming days to check construction vehicles that do not have registration.

"The city has become a hub of construction activities. We suspected that the practice of not registering vehicles is widespread. This has to be stopped," said Thomas.